I’m a big believer in there being no rules to makeup. However, there are some rules that you just shouldn’t break. These guidelines can make or break your entire look. If these things work for you, then go ahead and keep on doing it. But, if you notice that your makeup comes out looking a little off, you might be making some of these mistakes.
1. Not washing your makeup tools.
This is a mistake that a lot of people make. (Yes, I’m calling you out too, mom!) If you notice that you have a lot of breakouts, it could be your makeup brushes or sponges. You should be washing your tools at least once a week. Your brushes and sponges absorb all of the bacteria and oils from your face, which means that when you leave them unwashed, you are applying that bacteria and oil back onto your face. This can cause you to break out from all of the buildup in your pores. I recommend using a mild dish soap to wash sponges, and mixing in a little bit of olive oil to wash your brushes to keep the hairs from drying out.
2. Using foundation with the wrong undertone.
Finding your undertone can be a little trick and is really hard to tell just by looking at your face. The best way to determine your undertones is by looking at the veins on your wrist. If your veins are blue or purple, you have cool undertones, if they are blue or green, you have neutral undertones, and if they are more green or olive, you have warm undertones. Look for foundations that specify that they are for your undertone! If the product doesn’t specifically say which undertone it is, pink-based foundations tend to be cool and yellow-based foundations tend to be warm.
3. Keeping makeup in the bathroom.
I will admit that this is a mistake that I made for years, but storing your makeup in the bathroom is a big no-no. Leaving your makeup in the bathroom can cause moisture to build up in your products when you take a shower or bath. This can dry out your product and make it susceptible to bacteria or even mold. I know it’s a hassle to store your makeup somewhere else, especially if you get ready in the bathroom mirror, but it is worth it in the long run.
4. Using expired makeup.
This is a mistake that I know I shouldn’t make, but continue to do anyway. No one likes throwing out makeup, especially if you’ve spent a lot of money on it. But, keeping that lipstick that you’ve had since freshman year of high school could be doing you more harm than good. The lasting power of makeup depends on the product, but the best way to tell is by looking on the back of the product for a little picture of an open jar with a number on it. This number will tell you how many months/years a product is meant to last. Pressed powder products are typically okay to use a little longer than the expiration date, but if the product starts to crumble, dry out, or change color then it’s time to throw it away. You should especially keep track the expiration of cream or liquid products and products that you use on the immediate eye or mouth area such as lipstick, eyeliners, and mascaras.
5. Using the wrong brow color.
Brows can be tricky. They’re always either too dark or too light, you just can’t seem to win. However, there is an easy way to decide which brow color is right for you. If you have blonde to light brown hair, use a brow color that is one to two shades darker than your hair color. If you have dark drown to black hair, use a shade that is one to two shades lighter than your hair color. You may like the look of dark or light brows, and that’s okay too. But if you are looking for the most natural color, use this easy tip to find the color that works best for you.